A Nurse for Mitch Read online

  As they passed the hospital, she remembered seeing Peter Mitchell. Even though the man wasn’t lurking around the building now, he was still somewhere in town.

  She clutched Mitch’s arm, and his worried glance landed on her. “After we meet with your sister, we need to find Sheriff Hansen. He needs to know that Lieutenant Mitchell is here… and that he’s still after you.”

  He nodded. “I haven’t forgotten about that man, but… can you trust your sheriff? Obviously, the other men and I had trusted our sheriff, and look where it got us.”

  “Do you think those other men are… dead?”

  Mitch frowned and nodded, returning his gaze to the street. “I’m sure of it. I heard their cries of pain when Mitchell and his men broke into the stable. I smelled the smoke when they lit it on fire.”

  Her heart clenched for what he and his friends had suffered. She slid her arm around his and rested her cheek against his shoulder. “We’ll make sure Peter Mitchell is hung for his crimes.”

  “I pray that happens sooner rather than later.”

  When the hotel came into view, Lydia pointed to the building and Mitch guided the horse in front and stopped the buggy. He hopped out first and then turned and tried to lift Lydia out, but she shook her head, grinning.

  “I know that you want to be gallant, but we don’t need your shoulder wound opening now, do we?”

  He laughed and scooped her up in his right arm, lowering her until her feet touched the ground.

  “There, now. I didn’t even use my injured arm.” He winked.

  “What a smart man you are.” She touched his arm muscle. “And you’re quite strong for someone who was shot recently.”

  “Your love makes me feel like Hercules.”

  Laughing, she hooked her arm around his and they walked into the hotel. Her heartbeat quickened, and she couldn’t wait to have Mrs. Steele – Charlotte – finally see her brother and that he was well.

  “I think we should ask the clerk at the front desk,” she told Mitch.

  They turned left, heading in that direction, when a tall man stopped their progress. At first, it wasn’t the alcohol that seemed familiar, but it was his evil green eyes and the scar on his upper lip that had Lydia gasping in fright. Beside her, Mitch’s body stiffened.

  “What a surprise meeting you here, Mr. Langston.” The lieutenant’s eyebrows lifted haughtily. “At last, we meet again.”

  Inwardly, she groaned. Why hadn’t she realized the drunken man had listened to her and Mrs. Steele talking outside the hospital? That’s how he knew where Mitch’s sister was staying.

  Lydia’s chest tightened as she said a silent prayer that Peter Mitchell hadn’t hurt Charlotte.

  “I think,” Mitchell said, “we should take our business outside.”

  Fear covered Lydia. Outside was not a good idea. If they stayed in the hotel, they would have witnesses. And why hadn’t she thought about bringing a rifle?

  “I think we can discuss our issue like civilized gentleman.” Mitch kept his expression stern but lifted an eyebrow. “Actually, maybe you cannot, since you’re not a gentleman.”

  A low growl rumbled through the lieutenant’s chest as he narrowed his gaze on Mitch. The evil man pulled back his overcoat, just enough to show them the pistol hooked to his belt.

  “I’m more of a gentleman then you’ll ever know,” the man said with a snarl. “Now, start walking outside before I do something to your pretty nurse right here, in front of everyone.”

  She hitched a breath, but then her fear seemed to disappear as anger filled her. How dare he even hint to such an assault? Lydia may be a small, petite woman, but she knew how to fight back. She’d learned a few years ago when the soldiers – both the Yankees and the Confederates – tried to take liberties with her and her mother as they robbed their home. She needed to remember those days and the fight that had been inside her. It was no different now. Those she loved were still being threatened, and she would not put up with it.

  Mitch remained strong – at least his expression didn’t waver. “No, I think we should stay right here. Besides,” he pressed his palm to the lieutenant’s shoulder, moving him aside, “we are not here to see you.”

  Growling, Peter Mitchell moved around in front of Mitch again. “I know who you’ve come to see, and I’m happy to report, that she is gone.”

  Lydia’s heart dropped. No! The poor, desperate woman needed to find her brother. “That cannot be,” she snapped. “Mrs. Steele told me her train doesn’t leave until tomorrow morning.”

  The lieutenant gave a grin of victory. “I made sure she was on an earlier train.”

  Mitch stepped closer, grasping the other man coat lapels. “You better not have touched her, or I’ll kill you.”

  At first, Peter Mitchell appeared shocked over Mitch’s sudden aggressiveness, but then the man threw back his head and laughed.

  “You’re threatening me? Now, now, Mr. Langford, what would Minister Langford think of his son if he heard such words? And your poor mother… why, she’d have the vapors and it might just stop her heart.” He shook his head. “You seem to forget, Langford, that I know everything about you.”

  “Why?” Mitch snapped. “Why do you need to know everything?”

  “Because that was the only way to find you.” He tilted his head. “Have you forgotten that we have some unfinished business to settle?” In a flash, his hand shot out and grabbed Mitch’s left hand, twisting it and pushing it around to his back as the lieutenant took control.

  Releasing a small cry, Lydia sprang to help Mitch. The pain on his face for having his injured shoulder in this position was quite obvious. “Let him go,” she pleaded with the madman, “and we’ll go outside with you.”

  Peter Mitchell chuckled and pushed Mitch away. Lydia quickly ran her palm over Mitch’s injured shoulder. He winced, but breathed through the pain.

  “Start walking.” The lieutenant motioned toward the front doors of the hotel.

  Tears stung Lydia’s eyes as she and Mitch followed the man’s instructions. With each step toward their doom, her hopes dropped. Please Lord, help us!

  ELEVEN

  Mitch clenched his teeth, fighting through the burning pain in his shoulder. Any second now, he’d feel the sticky substance of blood. The lieutenant must have remembered where he’d shot Mitch and that it wouldn’t be fully healed yet.

  He wanted to slip his arm around Lydia for comfort, but because she was standing on his left side, he didn’t dare move his limb any more. Instead, he reached out with his right hand and took hold of her arm, pulling her closer. Her teary gaze lifted and met his searching eyes. He gave her a nod of reassurance, even if he didn’t fully feel it in his heart. But it didn’t matter. He’d fight to the death to keep Lydia safe… even if it meant killing another man to do it. Mitchell tried to make him feel guilty for having a minister father, but what the lieutenant didn’t realize was that wars were fought in the Bible… .and the faithful men won. The faithful men overcame their obstacles, which only strengthened their testimonies in the Lord. Now, more than ever, Mitch must be the man his father wanted him to be.

  Just as they neared the front doors, they swung open and two men with angry faces marched in. When they saw Lydia and Mitch, they stopped and their eyes widened.

  “Thad? Luke?” she questioned in a choked voice. “What are you doing here?”

  Thad’s gaze jumped between his cousin, Mitch, and the lieutenant, before returning to Lydia and scowling. “I’m protecting your reputation, of course.” His expression tightened. “Why are you entering a hotel with this man?”

  “With any man, for that matter,” Luke added as he fisted his hands.

  Mitch glanced at the lieutenant whose irritated gaze was on Lydia’s over-protective cousins. Suddenly, a thought came to him and he knew exactly what to do.

  Whipping around toward Peter Mitchell, he reached for the pistol tucked into his belt. The movement took the other man off-guard, which made hi
s reactions slower. Mitch pulled out the man’s pistol and pointed it at the lieutenant’s chest as he slowly stepped back, pulling Lydia with him.

  “Now, Lieutenant Peter Mitchell, I believe we have a meeting with the town sheriff.”

  Behind him, Thad and Luke gasped loudly and within seconds, they pulled out their rifles and pointed them toward the lieutenant. The people lingering in the hotel’s lobby screamed and took cover.

  “I’ve heard of you,” Luke said in a grinding voice. “You’re a deserter.”

  “And a Yankee!” Thad added.

  “Men,” Lydia said in a calm voice. “It doesn’t matter which side of the country this man fought for, but he is a deserter, and he has killed and tortured many men since the war ended. That, right there, makes him an outlaw.”

  Mitch nodded. “The lieutenant here has also robbed a bank, which I have personally witnessed.” He shrugged. “It appears to me, Peter Mitchell, that you’re going to be humiliated by having your army ranking stripped from your name before you’re hanged. And who knows, the judge might even allow me to be the one pulling out the floor when you drop to your death.”

  “Lydia,” Thad asked, “go fetch the sheriff so we can get this man behind bars.”

  “And be quick about it,” Luke added, “because Mitch’s shoulder is bleeding again, and we need to get him to the hospital.”

  Mitch didn’t flinch. He couldn’t. He needed to stay steady and alert while pointing the pistol at the lieutenant. It wasn’t until Luke had mentioned the blood when Mitch felt it on his back as his shirt stuck to his skin. It eased his mind that Lydia’s cousins were here to help, and that they’d also heard bad things about Peter Mitchell. Perhaps now the other men in Lydia’s life would come to accept Mitch, especially when he asked her uncle for her hand in marriage.

  Peter glared at Mitch, but it didn’t make a difference. Mitch knew he had won. Finally. Well, at least he didn’t have to run from the lieutenant, but there was one more thing he might have to fight for.

  His life.

  He knew the blood was coating more of his skin, and although he tried to stay strong and firm, his limbs were becoming weak. Soon, his mind would follow. That’s what happened when Peter shot him the last time.

  Silently, he prayed that Lydia would come soon. He needed to be taken to the hospital before he bled to death.

  * * * *

  Lydia paced the floor in the hospital, walking by Thad and Luke who sat on chairs. Every time she passed the door to the surgery room, she paused and listened. Doctor Hatchett had been operating on Mitch for two hours now. This wasn’t a good sign.

  She had brought the sheriff to the hotel, and just as the lawman slapped the iron cuffs on the lieutenant, Mitch had collapsed. Her cousins had helped her rush Mitch to the hospital, and the doctor had been with him ever since. She was sure surgeries didn’t take this long and yet, she’d been working here for a few months, she should know this by now. But Mitch was a man she loved, which made him more important.

  From down the hallway, a woman’s frantic voice brought Lydia out of her thoughts. She turned and peered at the woman talking to another nurse. Mrs. Steele!

  A sigh escaped Lydia and she placed a hand on her chest. Peter Mitchell had lied to them. He hadn’t sent Mitch’s sister on an earlier train after all.

  Lydia hurried toward the other woman. When Charlotte noticed her, she broke away from the other nurse and rushed to Lydia, clasping her hands when they reached.

  “Is it my brother, James Langston?”

  Lydia nodded as her throat tightened. “He remembered only this afternoon, but then his wound reopened, and he lost a lot of blood.”

  Charlotte closed her eyes as tears streamed down her cheeks. She tilted her head back. “Thank you, Lord.”

  “Doctor Hatchett has been with him for two hours.”

  Charlotte pulled away and dried her eyes. “You are in love with my brother, aren’t you?”

  Lydia smiled. “I am.”

  “I could see it in your eyes when you told me about your patient who couldn’t remember.”

  “It was that obvious?” Lydia chuckled lightly.

  “It was to me.” Charlotte shrugged. “Probably because I know what it’s like to be truly in love.”

  “Yes, I do truly love your brother. I just wished I’d realized it sooner.”

  Charlotte patted Lydia’s arm. “Love makes itself known when you are ready. I learned that lesson, too.”

  “Lydia!”

  Thad’s uplifted voice made her spin around. Both he and Luke were standing, facing the room which now had the door opened and the doctor was slowly walking out as he removed his bloody apron. Both Lydia and Charlotte rushed to the doctor.

  Doctor Hatchett looked at Lydia and heaved a sigh. “I think he’s going to make it.”

  “You think?” Charlotte’s voice cracked. “Are you telling me that he might die?”

  The doctor gave Lydia a quizzical scowl, so she quickly explained, “This is his sister, Mrs. Steele.”

  Doctor Hatchett folded his arms. “He lost a lot of blood, but I do believe he’ll be fine. There was a little infection from when he was shot, and thankfully, with the lieutenant twisting his arm backward, it dislodged the bullet, so I was able to remove it.”

  Lydia released a shaky breath and silently thanked the Lord for saving Mitch’s life. “When will we be able to see him?”

  Doctor Hatchett shook his head. “I don’t want him having visitors until tomorrow. However,” he motioned to Lydia, “because you are a nurse, you may see him as long as you are in proper attire.”

  “Doctor,” Lydia turned and grasped Charlotte’s hand, squeezing it gently. “His sister hasn’t seen him for quite a while. Can she at least go in and see him for a minute?”

  Doctor Hatchett scowled again as his gaze jumped back between Lydia and Charlotte. “Fine, but only for a minute.”

  Tears filled Charlotte’s eyes and she gave Lydia a hug before following the doctor into the surgery room.

  Lydia stood in the hallway and watched as Charlotte stood by her brother’s bed and cried with happiness. A warm hand touched her shoulder, and she turned to see Thad standing next to her.

  “I hope he’s going to ask our father for your hand in marriage soon.”

  She arched an eyebrow. “Soon? Why?”

  “Have you forgotten,” Luke said as he moved on the other side of her, “that we caught you and Mitch going in a hotel together?”

  She laughed. “And have you forgotten that we didn’t make it past the lobby?”

  Thad narrowed his gaze. “Are you telling me that you don’t want a quick wedding?”

  As she studied her cousin’s grins, she realized what they were trying to do. “Well, when you put it that way…” She straightened her shoulders. “I suppose a quick wedding is needed, for the reason you just gave, but let’s make sure Mitch has enough strength to stand before the ceremony.”

  Thad nodded. “We’ll make sure Henrietta feeds him, then.”

  “In that case,” Lydia folded her arms, “I’ll have to request that Mitch be transferred to the house.”

  “Yes, I think that’s a good idea.” Luke winked and motioned his hand toward the hallway. “Thad, I think we should go talk to Pa about it.”

  “Wait.” She pulled on their sleeves before they could leave her side. “Don’t say anything about a wedding. I want that to come from Mitch.”

  “We promise.”

  As she watched them leave the hospital, she could finally sigh with relief and allow true and lasting happiness to fill her bosom. She was going to marry a wonderful man, and although it might take a few weeks, it wasn’t soon enough for her to become a very happy wife.

  EPILOGUE

  The day of the wedding, Mitch was probably more nervous than Lydia. At least she didn’t appear as anxious as he felt. She waited to change into her wedding gown until after she had helped Henrietta, Olivia, and Charlotte decorate the y
ard for the ceremony. Thad and Luke tried to keep Mitch and Lydia apart, but a few times during the morning, they met secretly and shared a few kisses.

  Once Olivia and Charlotte took his soon-to-be bride into her bedroom to change, he realized that he should change his clothes, too. Some of the servants helped to make Lydia’s wedding gown, and they also made him clothes that actually fit… and they had purchased some shoes that were new. Wearing these clothes made him feel like a king.

  After the wedding, he and Lydia would travel to visit his parents since they couldn’t get away from the lumber store in time to meet their almost daughter-in-law. Charlotte’s husband was able to get away from his lawyer duties to spend time with his wife at the wedding.

  Not more than thirty minutes later, Mitch stood by the minister and in front of the small crowd who’d gathered for the wedding. He moved from one foot to the other, flexing his hands out of nervousness while watching for his beautiful Lydia to walk down the aisle.

  When one of the servants started playing the fiddle, the crowd grew silent and he watched as Lydia’s uncle escorted her down the aisle. He literally lost his breath in awe. He’d never seen her so lovely, and he’d always remember what she looked like as their gazes locked together.

  Her gown was beige and the sleeves hung off her shoulders. In the middle of her bodice was a pink rose pinned to the material. Her waist was thin, as always, and the hooped skirt of the dress was wide and gathered up on the sides with the same pink rose. A small train followed behind her, making the dress more elegant.

  Her hair was in ringlets, but the top of her hair was pulled back away from her face. Small white flowers circled her head. She now looked like the angel he once thought she was.

  When she reached him, he took her hand and they faced the minister. Mitch didn’t take his eyes off her, and thankfully, she didn’t look away, either. His heart swelled with so much love for this kind and generous woman, he almost couldn’t hold it all in.